Shopping

If you are intrigued by the craftsmen demonstrations at Old Sturbridge Village [1], you can pick up some of their handiwork at the Shops at Old Sturbridge Village (1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., 508/347-0244, www.osv.org [2], 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily), which features village-made tin and pottery items, along with heirloom seeds and books on New England history.

A whirlwind of sampling and noshing, the snack emporium that is Cracker Barrel Old Country Store (215 Charlton Rd., 508/347-8925, 6 a.m.–10 p.m. Sun.–Thurs.; 6 a.m.–11 p.m. Fri.–Sat., www.crackerbarrel.com [3]) peddles everything from candied popcorn tins and cheddar cheese to peanut brittle and relish. Many a holiday gift basket is born here—-as are equally many “homemade” creations, by way of the shop’s corn muffin mix and cherry cobbler filling.